Last week, Vietnam War veterans from Wisconsin were treated to the Old Glory Honor Flight to Washington D.C., where they were able to see memorials that honored them.
According to a report by Fox 11 News, the Old Glory Flight has flown 55 total flights for more than 5,000 veterans. The veterans returned to Appleton International Airport in Greenville on April 26, and it was a noticeable difference this time around compared to the Vietnam War era. They were greeted by supporters with signs expressing their love and gratitude.
“It was just an exciting day,” Army veteran Darrell Rahn told Fox 11 News. “Treated us like kings.”
Rahn said that when he came home in 1967, he got a pie in his face from a protester as soon as he walked off the plane. He said it was sad to see that America had turned their backs on their soldiers, but this time was the complete opposite.
“It’s a lot different than what I came home to 55 years ago,” Rahn said, according to Fox 11 News.
According to OldGloryHonorFlight.org, the flight was founded in 2009 by a group of volunteers from Appleton. The mission was to fly local World War II veterans to Washington D.C. for a day trip to see memorials built in their honor. Over the years, this has transitioned to veterans of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. The flights are free for the veterans, and each flight includes professional photographers, a medical team and trained volunteers to serve as guardian escorts.
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